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Frequently Asked Questions
General
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What is Texas Utility Help?
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Texas Utility Help is a program that provides financial assistance to qualified low income Texas households who need help to pay their utility bills. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater.
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What is LIHEAP?
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The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
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What is LIHWAP?
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The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a water assistance program designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate water and wastewater needs.
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Is assistance from the Texas Utility Help program provided to households as a grant or a loan?
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Texas Utility Help funds are issued in the form of grants that households do not need to repay. The payments are made directly to the utility company.
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Can Texas Utility Help provide assistance if I have already moved out of the property?
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No. In order to be eligible for assistance, the household must currently occupy the property as their primary residence.
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What does qualified alien mean?
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Qualified Alien commonly refers to individuals with permanent resident status in the US, and it includes other groups as well. See full the definition of qualified alien here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1641.
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What other assistance programs are available?
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Please visit the TDHCA Help for Texans page to explore additional programs: https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/texans.htm.
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What is the difference between the Texas Utility Help or Texas Homeowner Assistance programs?
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Please refer to this chart to compare the programs and determine which one is best for your household.
Program
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How much assistance can I apply for?
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Energy Program – Electricity, Gas, and Propane
- Assistance may be paid (i) up to the total past due amounts owed for electricity, gas and propane, plus (ii) up to $2,400 for prospective payments (one-time lump sum), depending on household income.
Water Program – Water and Wastewater
- Assistance may be paid (i) up to the total past due amounts owed for water and waste water, plus (ii) up to $2,400 for prospective payments through September 30, 2023 (one-time lump sum), depending on household income.
See full program overviews for more details.
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Does my utility provider have to participate?
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Energy vendors are required to sign vendor participation agreements in order to receive payments.
Water and waste water vendors are encouraged to sign vendor participation agreements or they may receive payment subject to the payment terms.
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What types of properties are eligible for assistance?
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Homeowners and renters are both eligible to apply. Eligible property types include:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-family buildings
- Mobile homes
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Can Texas Utility Help pay trash and other charges on my bill?
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No. Texas Utility Help can only pay electricity, propane, gas, water, and wastewater charges. If your bill includes trash or other charges, you will need to pay those fees before receiving assistance.
Eligibility
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What is the maximum household income to be eligible for Texas Utility Help?
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Texas households may be eligible for assistance from Texas Utility Help if their household income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (“FPIG”). The maximum household income depends on how many persons are living in the household and is based on GROSS income (before taxes, deductions, etc.), not take-home pay.
All members of the household must be included in the income total regardless of citizenship status, however those who are not citizens or qualified aliens are not included in the Household size for income determination.
Effective for all applications reviewed on or after February 8, 2023, the Program Year 2023 Income Limits apply.
Persons in Family/Household Size 150% FPIG 1 $21,870 2 $29,580 3 $37,290 4 $45,000 5 $52,710 6 $60,420 7 $68,130 8 $75,840 Families with more than 8 persons Add $7,710 for each additional person SOURCE: https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
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Do I need to have a past due utility bill in order to receive help for these bills?
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No. Qualifying households can receive assistance with qualifying utility bills even if they are current on their bill.
For electricity and gas, this assistance is a one-time lump sum advance payment to the utility for 100% of annual usage up to the household maximum of $2,400.
For water and wastewater, this assistance is a one-time lump sum advance payment to the utility for $85 per month through September 30, 2023 up to the household maximum of $2,400.
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Is there a citizenship requirement for the program?
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At least one occupant in the household needs to be a citizen or qualified alien in order to apply. Citizens and qualified aliens will be required to provide documentation establishing their status, such as a Passport or Permanent Resident Card. The immigration status of qualified aliens will be confirmed using the SAVE database.
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What if my household includes some members who are citizens or qualified aliens and other members who are unqualified aliens?
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Households with at least one occupant with U.S. citizen or qualified alien status are eligible. Applicants need to include information about all of the occupants living in the household, regardless of citizenship status. All members of the household must be included in the income total, however those who are not citizens or qualified aliens are not included in the Household size for income determination.
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What is “categorical eligibility”?
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Households who provide proof of participation in the below programs are considered categorically eligible, meaning they do not need to submit income documentation:
- Supplemental Security Income payments from the Social Security Administration (SSI)
- Means-Tested Veterans Program recipient (Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, not Service-Connected Disability)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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I already received assistance from a different program. Am I qualified to receive assistance from this program?
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Households are not allowed to receive duplicate payments for the same expense for the same time period.
Application
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How can I apply for additional assistance if I have already submitted an application?
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If your application was decided (denied or paid) in 2022, you can submit an application for assistance in 2023 by logging in and using the “Add Case” button. Because it is a new calendar year, you will need to submit a new application with new documentation for household income, citizenship, and utility bills.
If your application was decided in 2023, you can request assistance for a different type of utility. For example, if you previously received assistance for electricity only and now you are seeking assistance for water and wastewater, you can request additional assistance by logging in and using the “Request Additional Assistance” button.
If you have an application that is currently under review, you cannot apply for additional assistance at this time. A decision (denied or paid) must be made before you can apply for additional assistance.
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Where can I apply?
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If you think you qualify, apply now here.
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What specific documents does the household need to provide with the application?
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Below are examples of documents that households are required to submit with the application:
- Identification card
- Proof of citizenship or legal residency
- The most recent Utility bill (electricity, gas, propane, water, and/or wastewater bill) must be dated within 30 days, and applicants will be required to repeat the process of uploading the most recent utility bill monthly until the case is processed
- Income documentation such as award letters or paystubs for each member of your household
- Documentation showing the utility is disconnected, under threat of disconnect, past due or is a current bill
Payments
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How are payments made?
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Once a household’s application is approved, payment is sent directly to the utility company.
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If I am approved, how quickly can I receive assistance?
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All applications will be carefully reviewed to ensure they meet program eligibility requirements. If documents or information is missing from your application, you will be contacted and asked to provide it. Once your application review is completed, you will be notified whether you qualify for program assistance. Application review times can vary. Applicants can log into the portal at any time to check the status of their applications.
System
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I don’t have internet or computer access. How do I apply?
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Households can appoint a representative to submit the online application on their behalf.
Utility Vendors
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What is Texas Utility Help?
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Texas Utility Help is a new statewide program administered by TDHCA with funding from LIHEAP and LIHWAP. The new program offers a streamlined online application process, so any eligible Texas household can apply for both energy and water bill assistance in a single form.
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Are utility vendors required to participate in the program in order to receive payment on behalf of eligible households?
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- Energy vendors are required to sign vendor participation agreements in order to receive payments.
- Water and waste water vendors are encouraged to sign vendor participation agreements or they may receive payment subject to the payment terms.
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How do utility vendors sign up?
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To sign up, utility vendors should call 1-855-566-2057.
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How do households apply for assistance?
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The online application for households is available here.
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What are the basic requirements for a Texas household to qualify for assistance?
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Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG). At least one member of the household must be a citizen or qualified alien.
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How will I know which account to apply payment to?
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The customer’s Account Number will be provided in the remittance information for each individual payment. Additionally, participating vendors will receive email notification about payments and summary reporting will be available on the portal.
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What is the difference between the Texas Utility Help or Texas Homeowner Assistance programs?
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Please refer to this chart to compare the programs and determine which one is best for your household.